Peace shelves expansion plans

29 April 2013 02:28

Peace revealed the decision at the club’s end of season dinner – two years after he original announced his intention to expand the Halfords Lane stand.

The chairman said that a lack of demand for tickets, despite reduced prices, and the number of televised games was behind the decision.

However, fresh plans are now in place to increase the capacity within the existing stands without a complete redevelopment.

“Following my comments of two years ago regarding the potential expansion of The Hawthorns, we have carefully considered the next steps and have decided that a gradual increase in capacity is the best way forward,” he said.

“Despite the fact that our season ticket prices are almost 20 per cent lower than eight seasons ago, attendances are only rising on average by 200 per season, largely due to the general and local economic environment, and the increasing number of televised games.

“Such factors are uppermost in our minds when we consider the stadium’s capacity. We believe that the atmosphere generated by a packed ground is desirable both for the supporters in attendance and the worldwide TV viewing public.

“So we will now find ways of adding seats within the existing stadium rather than building new capacity and creating indebtedness within the football club.”

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